Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich refuses to cave in over his new contract policy. The People says no player in his 30s will be offered longer than a one-year deal - and that puts the future of Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard, plus skipper John Terry, in doubt.

Lampard, 34, and Cole, 31, are out of contract next summer and Rom's directive means they are free to talk to foreign clubs as early as January. Abramovich's stance, which has ­already led to the exit of Champions League final hero Didier Drogba, means controversial Terry, 31, will not be offered a longer deal when his contract expires in 2014.

Lamps and Cole would ­prefer to stay at Chelsea if they were offered longer-term security, although ­neither will be short on offers.